Development, assessment and application of a new method for characterizing degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in the symptomatic upright posture.

The objectives of this project are to develop a new method for assessing a degenerative spinal condition called degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) and to apply this method to better understand the causes of the condition. What sets this method apart is that it allows assessment in the standing posture, when patients experience symptoms. We will develop and validate the new method, and apply the findings to study how the spine changes between lying down, sitting standing up in DLS patients. Achieving these objectives will help explain why people get specific symptoms of DLS and help surgeons to choose the simplest surgery for DLS patients.